ITC Chapter 45

The first ray of morning sunlight slipped in through a gap in the curtains, squeezing into the room to peek inside.

A corner of the blanket had fallen to the floor. On the bed, one person turned over, an arm slipping outside the covers—only to be quickly pulled back in by another hand. Beneath the quilt, one arm was draped loosely around the other’s waist, and their legs were entwined together.

It should’ve been a peaceful and cozy morning—but a sudden phone ringtone broke the silence. Bai Xizhou, irritated, reached out to find his phone. He fumbled around but couldn’t locate it. The ringtone kept blaring. The person in his arms furrowed his brows in annoyance, not opening his eyes, instead turning away and pulling the blanket over his ears in protest.

Bai Xizhou opened his eyes, picked up the phone from the nightstand, and clicked his tongue softly. The flashing “answer” button on the screen was annoying enough—but not as much as the name of the caller.

He hadn’t decided whether to pick up when a pillow suddenly smacked him right in the face. Turning his head, he saw Wen Ruqing now using the pillow to cover his ears completely, trying to block out the noise.

“So noisy…” Wen Ruqing mumbled grumpily.

Seeing how irritated Wen Ruqing was, Bai Xizhou figured another pillow might come flying at him soon, so he gave in and accepted the call. But he said nothing after answering. He waited for the other side to speak first.

He really wanted to see what could be so urgent that it had to disturb someone’s peaceful dream.

It was still early before work. Bai Xizhou got up first. Wen Ruqing, who’d also been disturbed by the ringtone, shifted around under the blanket, seeming like he was about to wake up. Bai Xizhou gently stroked his face.

“Sleep a bit more. I’ll wake you when it’s time.”

Maybe hearing Bai Xizhou’s voice had calmed him—Wen Ruqing’s knitted brows slowly relaxed, and he snuggled further into the blanket.

On the other end of the line, it was like the caller had dropped off the grid. Even after Bai Xizhou had finished washing up, gotten dressed, and started breakfast in the kitchen, not a word came.

“If you don’t speak, I’m hanging up,” Bai Xizhou warned, setting the phone aside and turning on speaker mode.

He cracked an egg into the pan, and the sizzling sound traveled through the speaker to Bai Xiting, who instinctively swallowed and took a reluctant bite of the bread in his hand.

“It’s nothing, just… wondering if sis-in-law liked the gifts.” Bai Xiting chewed his bread and added, “Did you tell him the teddy bear was my pick?”

“Why would I?” Bai Xizhou shot back. “Trying to get him to notice you?”

“No, no! That’s not what I meant!” Bai Xiting panicked, afraid Bai Xizhou might misunderstand. “I just… wanted to ask, that’s all.”

“You seem very free. Have you studied? Memorized the laws? Are you even going to pass the bar this year? We agreed—I’ll support you for one year. After that, you’re on your own.”

“I’m just concerned about you…” Bai Xiting’s voice took on a wounded tone—but it did nothing to move Bai Xizhou.

“Hanging up.” Bai Xizhou couldn’t be bothered to listen anymore and ended the call.

Sometimes, he questioned himself too. Why had he even brought Bai Xiting back? Arranged housing for him? Helped him prepare for the bar? Realistically, Bai Hesong wouldn’t have let Bai Xiting starve. All that he’d done… probably seemed insignificant in Bai Hesong’s eyes.

After the ugly fallout with Wen Ruqing in Jingcheng, Bai Xizhou had returned to Xincheng. He had plenty of work piling up. But when he heard that Wen Ruqing had ended up at the police station, he panicked. And since he hadn’t been able to reach him at all before that, he’d rushed to Jingcheng in the middle of the night.

Later, after calming down, he realized he had acted impulsively. But it wasn’t all bad. It had forced Wen Ruqing into a confrontation, and they found some answers that had been long overdue.

He hadn’t even had time to rest before heading to the law firm at dawn. Zhu Yuyan saw his exhausted face and almost thought he was high—nearly called the cops on him. After explaining everything, he returned to his office and slowly cleared through his mountain of work.

When Bai Xiting called, he’d just finished meeting with a client. He didn’t really want to answer. They weren’t close. In fact, they kind of looked down on each other. So he couldn’t guess what this call was for.

Last time Bai Xiting called, it was to curse him out. So what was it now?

The phone rang several times before he finally answered. The moment he picked up, he heard sobbing. Bai Xiting’s voice trembled as he cried, drawing out the word “ge” so pitifully it gave Bai Xizhou goosebumps.

He told him he’d been expelled from school for getting into a fight. He was too scared to tell their parents, but the expulsion required a guardian’s presence—so he thought of Bai Xizhou and begged him for help.

Bai Xizhou originally wanted to refuse—he wasn’t really family anyway—but then he thought… maybe going to Germany wasn’t such a bad idea. He needed a break, and his workload had just lightened up.

He hadn’t returned to campus since graduation. Though his time abroad had been rough, his professor had treated him well and was about to retire. It was a good excuse to visit.

He didn’t know when exactly Wen Ruqing returned to Xincheng. He hadn’t expected Wen Ruqing to call while he was still in Germany—and say those words over the phone. “I love you.”

If he hadn’t gone… would he have gotten to hear those words in person?

To make up for it, Bai Xiting picked out that little teddy bear and said it was a gift “for sis-in-law.” Bai Xizhou accepted it.

The expulsion paperwork was settled quickly. One of the staff even recognized Bai Xizhou and chatted with him, sighing over how one brother had been an outstanding graduate while the other was expelled halfway through.

He asked Bai Xiting why he’d gotten into a fight. Bai Xiting admitted he didn’t want to study abroad. His language skills were poor, his grades worse, and none of it had been his choice. His mother just wanted him to live up to Bai Xizhou.

But Bai Xizhou was too capable, and he was tired of living in his shadow. He begged Bai Xizhou to take him back home.

“What will you do in China?” Bai Xizhou didn’t respond to the complaints, instead picking up a carved incense puppet. After sorting through several, he chose the shepherd. “You know they’ll find out eventually. What will you say then? Do you have a plan, or are you just winging it?”

“I’ll go back, get certified, apply to a firm, and take it step by step.”

For a moment, Bai Xizhou’s heart softened. He brought Bai Xiting back to Xincheng, helped him find an apartment, and got him the materials for the bar.

But it wasn’t free. Bai Xizhou wasn’t that generous. He considered it a loan—interest-free only because of their thin brotherly bond.

Bai Xizhou plated the egg and fried up the last sausage from the fridge. The smell filled the kitchen just as Wen Ruqing finished washing up. He fed the rabbit, then came into the kitchen to carry breakfast out.

This was their first breakfast since becoming a couple—but it was no different from the others. In fact, it was even simpler than before.

“We used to have porridge. Now it’s just eggs and sausage,” Wen Ruqing said, biting into the sausage. “What if someday we don’t even have eggs and sausage left?”

“I’ll pick you up after work. We’ll go to the supermarket,” Bai Xizhou said, feeling the side of the milk cup. Once it was warm enough, he handed it over. “If I don’t, I’ll be accused of not cherishing what I have.”

After breakfast, Bai Xizhou took Wen Ruqing home to pick up some things, then dropped him off at the research institute.

Wen Ruqing waved goodbye and got out, but after a few steps, he turned around and came back to the car. Bai Xizhou rolled down the window.

“Did you forget something?” he asked.

“No.” Wen Ruqing smiled faintly, then leaned in to press a quick kiss to Bai Xizhou’s lips. “You don’t need takeout for lunch today. I won’t be at the institute.”

“Then where are you eating?” Bai Xizhou asked immediately. Food was always his priority.

“I’m going to the temple to collect some damaged sutras. I’ll eat there. Don’t worry.” Wen Ruqing couldn’t help but smile at his concern.

He didn’t skip meals anymore—but Bai Xizhou still texted him daily at lunch to remind him to eat. Even when they weren’t together.

 

 

That day, Bai Xizhou wore his mood on his face. He looked like he was glowing. Li Xin whispered to Chen Jia, trying to guess why he was so cheerful.

“You don’t know?” Zhu Yuyan suddenly appeared behind them, slinging an arm around their shoulders. The three huddled together.

“Bai-lawyer’s boyfriend came to see him yesterday.”

“That the one he pulled into the office?” Chen Jia tried to recall the face but couldn’t. “Wait—Bai-lawyer doesn’t like women? How come I never heard?”

“Everyone here knows that—except the newcomers.” Zhu Yuyan, the law firm’s gossip queen, knew how many boyfriends Bai Xizhou had had. “But this one’s different. His past boyfriends were the cute type. This one’s… cold and aloof.”

Bai Xizhou had no idea Zhu Yuyan was spreading gossip again—but even if he did, he wouldn’t care. He’d been open about his orientation since day one.

Because they’d planned a supermarket trip after work, Bai Xizhou actually left on time for once. Zhu Yuyan sipped her coffee, shaking her head in awe at the power of love.

Wen Ruqing got off earlier and crouched by the road waiting. They went to the supermarket near home and bought enough to fill the fridge. Bai Xizhou even picked up fruits and frozen meals. They looked like they were stocking up a whole pantry.

He always loved grocery shopping, especially the satisfaction of filling the fridge. Doing it with Wen Ruqing made it feel like they were really building a life—like they’d be living together for a long, long time.

At the checkout, Bai Xizhou glanced at the counter, then at Wen Ruqing. Noticing his gaze, Wen Ruqing followed it—to the neatly lined-up rows of condoms.

“If you want them, just grab them.” Wen Ruqing didn’t blush, simply handed their items to the cashier.

He’d never been into that stuff, even a bit averse with Song Yang. But if it was with Bai Xizhou… maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

“What flavor? Strawberry, rose, or mint?” Bai Xizhou whispered playfully in his ear, “Since it’s about you, I thought I should ask.”

“Anything’s fine.” Wen Ruqing knew he was being a tease and didn’t indulge him. He pushed his head away. “Don’t lean so close.”

The cashier probably picked up on the vibe and quickly focused on scanning without making eye contact.

In the end, Bai Xizhou didn’t buy them. Wen Ruqing didn’t ask why.

Back in the car, Wen Ruqing suddenly smacked his forehead. “Almost forgot.” He pulled something from his pocket.

“A little monk taught me to fold it at the temple today.” He opened his palm—inside was a tiny paper ring, with eyes and ears drawn in black pen. “It’s a puppy ring. I thought it was cute. Consider it my return gift for your toy.”

(TLN:In Chinese culture, a “puppy ring,” likely referring to a Foo Dog ring, symbolizes protection and good luck.)

Bai Xizhou picked it up and examined it. Just a dog doodle on paper—but it was adorable.

“I’m keeping it.” He kissed Wen Ruqing’s cheek while he was distracted. “When will you give me a real one?”

“Next time. I’ll buy you a better one next time.”

He’d said it so casually—yet Wen Ruqing genuinely started thinking about it.

“Don’t talk nonsense. It’s my turn to give you something next.”

---

Author’s Note:

Frozen Starlight

Wen Wen may be clueless, but once he opens up—he’s shocking.

The younger brother probably won’t show up again. He’s fulfilled his purpose. S

ong Yang might come back (maybe, depending on if I change the plot midway again).